Page 46 of The Day After Christmas
‘You go,’ said James, his voice suddenly thick.
Felicity thought for just a moment and then she knew. ‘Jessica,’ she said, with a nod.
‘Right you are,’ said Valerie. ‘Enjoy the rest of your stay.’
As she drove off with Jessica singing merrily away in the back of the trailer, James put his arms around Felicity and squeezed her tight.
‘Thank you,’ he said.
‘I’m going to miss her,’ said Felicity. And then, after a beat, ‘How do you think Andrea would feel about expanding into the donkey-rescuing business?’
James laughed. ‘We can but ask.’
CHAPTER 24
That night was Italian night at the hotel, and as they happily scoffed down the most delicious lemon risotto in the plush restaurant, the sea air still tingling in their cheeks, Felicity’s phone buzzed.
Valerie: Donkey settling in well. She’s starving, poor thing. Rang round and can’t find anyone willing to claim her. Come see her anytime.
Felicity: Is tomorrow too soon? *smiley face*
Valerie: Not at all.
Felicity: Great, thank you, we’ll just pop in.
Valerie: That’s fine, about 11 would be best.
Felicity: 11 it is. We won’t stay long.
Valerie: No problem.
Her phone buzzed again.
‘That Valerie’s a chatty one,’ said James absently, already perusing the dessert menu in front of him while he was still eating his main.
But it wasn’t Valerie this time.
Bex: Hi, Fliss, hope you are okay. How are the plans for the hen do coming? I keep getting asked.
Not even a kiss at the end. Felicity’s heart bumped faster in her chest.
‘I swear this wedding will be the death of me,’ she said. Her tone was light but in truth, with every mention of the wedding she could feel her blood pressure rising.
‘Trouble?’ said James, taking a sip of his enormous gin and tonic.
‘It’s just Bex. She wants to know what’s happening with the hen do. And truth be told I haven’t even thought about it.’
James shrugged. ‘Bar. Cocktails. Dancing. How hard can it be? You just go out in town and let your hair down, surely? Not too much, mind,’ he added, waving his fork at her.
Felicity laughed. ‘Is that what you think Bex would be satisfied with? A night out in town?’
‘Why, what does she want?’
‘I can tell you it’s not that. She wants to be whisked away somewhere for a weekend. And not just any “somewhere”. It has to be “Bex-worthy”. I have no idea how I’m even going to afford it, let alone organise it.’
She let out a small wail and James covered her hand with his.
‘You know what you need?’
